News Shopper Shop A Dog campaign leads to extension of dog attack law

THE Government is set to announce plans to extend legal protection over dog attacks to cover incidents on private property.

The move comes after the News Shopper Shop A Dog campaign which raised awareness of the issue.

Our campaign was highly praised by victims of dog attacks as well as politicians including Dartford MP Gareth Johnson.

Ministers are also expected to announce compulsory microchipping of dogs, with owners being given three years to comply.

Both measures will cover England and follow a consultation last year on issues including dangerous dogs.

Environment Secretary Owen Paterson is expected to say the law will be changed to close a loophole which prevents police from taking action against the owners of dogs that attack people on private property.

It is believed police will be given new authority to decide whether a dog which is subject to court proceedings needs to be kept apart from its owners until the outcome.

Previously, all such dogs had to be kennelled until proceedings had concluded, even if they posed no risk to the public.

Around 110,000 stray dogs are picked up by police, local authorities and animal welfare charities each year, with around half unable to be reunited with their owner because they cannot be identified.

Around 6,000 dogs are put down each year, while strays cost the taxpayer and welfare charities £57 million a year.

Thousands of postal workers and hundreds of telecom engineers are attacked by dogs every year, mainly on private property, such as gardens, drives and private roads.

The law has been changed in Scotland and Northern Ireland, with legislation in the process of being altered in Wales.

More than 6,000 members of the public needed hospital treatment after being attacked by dogs between 2010 and 2011.

Eight children and six adults have been killed in dog attacks since 2005.

The Dogs Trust, which has been campaigning for compulsory microchipping for over a decade, said it would welcome any announcement on the issue from ministers, adding: "This immediate method of identification is essential to improve dog welfare and we believe it will help to reduce the number of dogs that needlessly end up with an uncertain fate in council pounds and rescue centres when their owners simply cannot be traced."

Comments

Inspirationalady28
8:21am Thu 7 Feb 13

As a responsible Staff owner, I wouldn't have a problem with having him micro-chipped or kept on the lead at all times in public places, but I WOULD have a problem if I was being forced by some brainless little do-gooder into using a muzzle on him at ALL times even on MY OWN PRIVATE PROPERTY!! They do say;

“The road to hell is paved with good intentions.”

As a responsible Staff owner, I wouldn't have a problem with having him micro-chipped or kept on the lead at all times in public places, but I WOULD have a problem if I was being forced by some brainless little do-gooder into using a muzzle on him at ALL times even on MY OWN PRIVATE PROPERTY!! They do say;
“The road to hell is paved with good intentions.” Inspirationalady28

As a responsible Staff owner, I wouldn't have a problem with having him micro-chipped or kept on the lead at all times in public places, but I WOULD have a problem if I was being forced by some brainless little do-gooder into using a muzzle on him at ALL times even on MY OWN PRIVATE PROPERTY!! They do say;

“The road to hell is paved with good intentions.”

Score: 0

Inspirationalady28
5:31pm Fri 8 Feb 13

I did mention last year that Police dogs should also be considered dangerous as they are trained to pursue suspected criminals and attack/bite! After reading this report today I rest my case...I welcome your views?

Two men who fought the dog off her were injured. Another man had been bitten earlier that evening, police said.

Derbyshire Police said the animal belonged to a dog handler with GMP and had escaped from its kennel at the officer's home in the town.

The dog was to remain in "secure accommodation" while an investigation was carried out, a GMP spokesman said.

Shirt ripped

Officers were first alerted at 19:00 GMT when a man reported being bitten on Pennine Road. Thirty minutes the teenager was attacked on Charlestown Road.

A 48-year-old man who tried to rescue her sustained some scratches and had his shirt ripped, and an 18-year-old man was bitten on his arm.

A third man who assisted escaped without injury. The girl's injuries are not thought to be life-threatening, police said.

The dog ran off towards Freetown and was captured by its handler at about 21:50 GMT on King Street.

Derbyshire Constabulary said it would be fully investigating the circumstances and would be liaising with Greater Manchester Police.

I did mention last year that Police dogs should also be considered dangerous as they are trained to pursue suspected criminals and attack/bite! After reading this report today I rest my case...I welcome your views?
Page last updated at 16:50 GMT, Friday, 8 February 2013
Escaped police dog attacks four
A police dog has injured four people, including a 13-year-old girl, after escaping from a handler's home in Derbyshire.
Police said the girl needed hospital treatment after being bitten on her arm and leg by the German Shepherd-type dog in Glossop on Thursday.
The Greater Manchester Police (GMP) dog escaped its kennel whilst off duty.
Two men who fought the dog off her were injured. Another man had been bitten earlier that evening, police said.
Derbyshire Police said the animal belonged to a dog handler with GMP and had escaped from its kennel at the officer's home in the town.
The dog was to remain in "secure accommodation" while an investigation was carried out, a GMP spokesman said.
Shirt ripped
Officers were first alerted at 19:00 GMT when a man reported being bitten on Pennine Road. Thirty minutes the teenager was attacked on Charlestown Road.
A 48-year-old man who tried to rescue her sustained some scratches and had his shirt ripped, and an 18-year-old man was bitten on his arm.
A third man who assisted escaped without injury. The girl's injuries are not thought to be life-threatening, police said.
The dog ran off towards Freetown and was captured by its handler at about 21:50 GMT on King Street.
Derbyshire Constabulary said it would be fully investigating the circumstances and would be liaising with Greater Manchester Police.Inspirationalady28

I did mention last year that Police dogs should also be considered dangerous as they are trained to pursue suspected criminals and attack/bite! After reading this report today I rest my case...I welcome your views?

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